Dalai Lama to visit Minnesota Friday

MINNEAPOLIS -- When the Dalai Lama arrives in Minnesota this week, he'll be greeted by the second largest Tibetan community in the U.S.

They'll be lined up along Mississippi River Boulevard in St. Paul Friday when the Buddhist leader arrives at the official residence of presidents of the University of Minnesota. They'll be present at several campus events during the weekend, as well as at a special audience for local Tibetans Saturday at the University of St. Thomas.

The Minnesota Tibetan community is estimated at up to 3,000 people, second only to the New York area's estimated 6,000 to 7,000.

The Dalai Lama will attend two public events Sunday at Mariucci Arena. One will be a ceremony promoting personal and societal healing. He'll also speak on "Peace Through Inner Peace."